‘The Vacation Principle’ (2026) Netflix Series Review - A Gentle Healing Romance

The Vacation Principle has to be one of those dramas that celebrate the quiet moments of love and not the grand gestures. The plot follows Hoshino Midori, a dedicated employee at a beauty clinic whose simple life is turned upside down when she loses her job. Emotionally drained and unsure of what comes next, she decides to head for a retreat to her late grandmother’s seaside villa. What thus begins as an escape transforms into a journey of self-discovery. Then enters Nishigami, the villa’s caretaker. Though their meeting is nothing but entirely accidental, they form a bond of understanding and caretaker.

One of the best things about the show is the beautiful atmosphere it manages to set up. Right from the start, The Vacation Principle creates a relaxing environment. The backdrop of coastal landscapes, waves, and sunlight mixed with slow and quiet mornings makes the setting feel free and peaceful. All of this makes you want to watch the show, not only because of the plot, but also the peace it has to offer to us, viewers.

Another strength of the show is the actors. Kanna Hashimoto gives one of her best performances as Midori. She portrays a woman who is carrying the weight of everything that has been happening around her. Her journey feels relatable to many, as the character is written in a manner that mirrors real-life people a lot. Instead of showing that her character is totally fine, the maker shows the emotions she is undergoing: sadness, disappointment, and whatnot. Kanna Hashimoto has beautifully brought all of this out. She pauses wherever needed and gives the apt expressions needed to understand and interpret what her character is undergoing. Alongside her is Chae Jong-hyeop, who brings so much warmth to his role through his performance. Though in the series he speaks less, his gestures and calmness do most of the talking that dialogue probably wouldn’t have done justice to. His presence onscreen provides a sense of emotional stability to the character of Midori, which is very much required. That sort of acting has been brought about well by Chae Jong-hyeop.

The character development has been great in the show. At the start, we see Midori as a completely different person from what she becomes by the time the show reaches its middle. As of now, not all episodes have been released. So it will be interesting to watch what the next ones hold in line. Again, it will be fun to watch how much more Nishigami bonds with her as and when the show progresses.

Their overall chemistry is quite beneficial from the deliberate pacing the show has. At this point, most of us might have guessed that the pacing isn’t fast. And honestly, a plot like this doesn’t even deserve it. That is the best part of it. Things move intentionally, not slowly, to make us feel what Midori is undergoing and how she has been feeling all along. This helps us to absorb all the interactions that the lead has in between them. So dear viewers, if you wish to watch something soulful, The Vacation Principle is what you should be picking and get on a journey with Midori to see her heal.

Final Score - [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times